Colorado's Secretary of State Jena Griswold declared that the town of Hartman, Colorado, is abandoned.
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The small town of 30 is located near the Kansas border on the state's southeast side. It's had its share of problems over the years, including fraud allegations on top of a hazardous drinking water supply.
Why Was Hartman, Colorado, Abandoned?
As reported by the New York Post, Hartman has been without a formal government since January 14. The town's three remaining trustees resigned from office after four older women were involved in a violent fight after a board meeting.
Since then, no government has been in place to run the city or provide a proper water supply. This led one of Hartman's remaining residents to apply for abandonment status. The town has been under a water boil order since February.
The application read, "The Town of Hartman had lacked chlorine in its water for over one month." It also added that the water was not potable and "smells horrible."
With no government, the town couldn't secure the contracts needed to enable the over $1 million in grants to upgrade its water system.
For years, the town had been plagued with embezzlement allegations, lawsuits, and restraining orders. A previous vote to dissolve the town had failed.
Some Residents Objected To the Abandonment Declaration
On July 13, Deputy Secretary of State Andrew Kline held a hearing to determine the best options for Hartman. Two weeks later, he shared a 15-page order stating that abandonment was the best course of action for the town.
"Abandonment is the only legal mechanism in Colorado statute that creates an avenue for residents of the area to receive clean water," he wrote.
However, three Hartman residents objected to Kline's proposal. They said there were technicalities, including recalls that were set to take place before the trustees filed their resignations.
Kline wrote, "I understand and sympathize with the concerns presented by the Town of Hartman's citizens, and I commend all parties for their willingness to engage with the democratic process and to try to solve the problem facing their town."
The Prowers County Board of County Commissioners will take control of all public roads and alleys in Hartman. It is also taking ownership of the city's existing water infrastructure. The county said it will transfer the responsibility of maintaining it "to an entity whose primary purpose is water treatment or delivery."
